🔗 Share this article Valuable Sculptures Removed from Syria's National Museum in Damascus The National Museum reopened fully in January of this year, one month after the deposition of President Bashar al-Assad. Historic sculptures and other artefacts have been taken from the National Museum of Syria in Damascus, authorities report. The theft was discovered on the start of the week, when staff reportedly found that one of the museum's doors had been forced from the inside. The multiple missing pieces were marble creations and traced back to the Roman period, one official told the media outlet. Syria's Directorate-General for Antiquities and Museums said it had launched a probe to establish the "events surrounding the disappearance of a collection of items", and that steps had been enacted to strengthen protection and observation methods. The head of national security in the capital area, General Osama Atkeh, was referenced by the official media as saying that security forces were probing the incident, which he said had affected several "ancient sculptures and unique items". He noted that museum protectors at the facility and other individuals were being interviewed. The cultural institution, which was established in 1919, holds the primary archaeological collection in the country. It features ancient inscribed tablets originating to the ancient era from Ugarit, where indications of the oldest known writing system was uncovered; 1st and 2nd Century AD Greco-Roman sculptures from the ancient city, a significant historical locations of the historical period; and a 3rd Century AD synagogue that was constructed at an ancient location. The institution was compelled to shut in 2012, a year after the outbreak of the devastating civil war. The majority of the collection was transferred and kept at secret locations to safeguard them. It partially resumed in recent years and resumed full operations in January 2025, one month after insurgents deposed Syria's former leader. Every one of nationally recognized sites were affected or partly ruined during the conflict. The IS organization blew up several temples and historical sites at the ancient city, stating that they were against their beliefs. The cultural organization denounced the demolition as a war crime. Numerous artefacts were also lost or taken from archaeological sites and museums.